Mariah Carey thanks fans after opening up on bipolar diagnoses

Mariah Carey is thankful for the "overwhelming support" she has received since speaking out about her bipolar diagnoses.

The 'Touch My Body' hitmaker revealed in an interview published this week that she has been secretly battling bipolar II disorder - which causes a person to experience hypomanic episodes as well as low, depressive ones - since 2001, and has now said she has been "inspired" by the messages of support her fans have been sending her.

Taking to Instagram to post a professional shot of herself at a photoshoot, Mariah wrote: "I've been hard at work, feeling inspired by each of your stories and uplifted by your overwhelming support. Let's continue to encourage each other on our journeys. (sic)"

Mariah revealed her 17-year-long battle with the disorder earlier this week, where she admitted she was living in "denial and isolation" before speaking publicly about her struggle.

She said: "I didn't want to believe it. I was so terrified of losing everything I convinced myself the only way to deal with this was to not deal with this. Until recently I lived in denial and isolation and in constant fear someone would expose me. It was too heavy a burden to carry and I simply couldn't do that anymore. I sought and received treatment, I put positive people around me and I got back to doing what I love - writing songs and making music."

The 'We Belong Together' hitmaker now undergoes therapy and is on medication for the illness, and has said that 17 years on from her diagnoses, she is now ready to speak out in the hopes that other suffers can realise they're not alone.

She said: "I'm just in a really good place right now, where I'm comfortable discussing my struggles with bipolar II disorder. I'm hopeful we can get to a place where the stigma is lifted from people going through anything alone. It can be incredibly isolating."